THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

29 January 2013

EVOLUTION OF A DRAWING - 2 - TWO FOR JOY

I've always intended to make the photo I took of the two magpies that I published some months ago into a drawing, and today I had an unexpected free morning in which to do so. They were definitely asking to be rendered in pen rather than pencil and I then sploshed some water colour over the top. Halfway through I was having grave misgivings, but I ploughed on and once I started the background, felt much happier. Now it's finished, I'm quite pleased with it. I'll be interested to see what you think. Here are a few progress pictures:

I started by roughing out the shapes of the two birds and their perches.

Heads first, starting with a .25mm Rotring pen.....

Moving on to a .35mm one for the larger black areas. Neither bird's eyes were really distinct and it took a while for me to have the courage to darken them as they should be.

Here the birds are almost done and I've started the long process of filling in the twiggy background.

More twigs and leaves and some dotting in of slight shadows in their white parts.

YET more leaves and twigs and shadows, building up the depth of the background.

And finally the colour. Muted greens and grey browns with a flash of blue on the magpies seen in the finished picture again below. Until next time.....

I love when I can just sit and spend time on a project without having to stop and start all the time. My quiet work time seems to be later at night. I think it is from going to school, jobs and then spending time at night doing my art.I really like seeing how you progressed in your drawing.Lovely, I really liked it.

Thanks Gail....sadly, trying to print it is not going so well! The black of the birds is bleeding so that the tiny bits of white making up the texture are disappearing. More experimental work required....

Years ago Em I took a studio art course at University. I was working on a big oil painting (3 x 2 meters) and had roughed out the lines with a black wash. After working for a while, the instructor came over to examine my progress. "Is it finished" he asked. "No I have just started" I said feeling somewhat surprised. He said: "Well it could be" in a questioning voice.

I love your presentation of the evolution of this picture. So many 'finished' steps and each so different, and so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Thelma - It was pretty cold that day so I'm glad it's come over. I have another owl drawing to get on to next but before that, some stain block needs painting on the landing ceiling....priorities!

Mark - Art is so subjective isn't it? I'm incredulous at some of the stuff my friends like but then they probably hate the stuff I like so there you are. Cotman is my favourite artist of all time I think. I'd like to have seen the outline your tutor liked so much.

Thanks Carla. I've just finished a tiny drawing/painting of a Northern Spotted Owl but I'm not sure about it. I should have asked for a larger file size to work from but was too impatient having decided I was going to do it. Am still having HUGE problems printing the Magpies so the owl doesn't bode well either! May have to sell them as originals I think.

That is so lovely and fascinating to see it emerge from the paper and your talented hand. Magpies are regular visitors to our garden and Mama magpie has taught her babies to pilfer cat biscuits from the outside cat feedbowl (for the two strays we feed).

Am feeling distinctly the opposite at present so thank you very much for making my evening. These two magpies are regulars too now and steal great hunks of my bird porridge from the smaller birds. I'm not quite sure if that's better or worse than the cat food! Lovely to hear from you and keeping my fingers crossed for the return of service.